WITH THE FORCES IN MESOPOTAMIA - SERIES 1 (?) [Main Title]

British forces on the Mesopotamian Front during and after the Battle of Ramadi, 28-29 September 1917.

(Reel 1) An Indian Infantry battalion (probably from 7th (Meerut) Division, as are all identifiable troops) marching down 'New Street' in Baghdad. This is followed by the bridge of boats built by the Royal Engineers over the River Tigris at Baghdad to replace that destroyed by the Turks. "A motley crowd" in the bazaar, followed by refugees from the countryside boarding a steamer in Baghdad to take them to Basra. A further Indian battalion, possibly 20th Punjab Infantry, followed by 2nd Battalion, the Black Watch, led by its pipers. A regimental soda-water making machine in operation. The Guides Infantry Regiment, crossing a pontoon bridge over the River Tigris not far from Ramadi. Gunfire from 60-pounders and a 6-inch 26cwt (?) howitzer. (Reel 2) A scene (acted) of Indian troops moving into a sandbagged trench system, cleaning their rifles, one man in a sniper's position with a fixed rifle, and a Lewis machine-gunner firing from a dug-out. An 18-pounder position in the desert, not far from Samarra, with a mobile observation post and two guns. A captured Turkish shell-dump near Ramadi. A 60-pounder being pulled by a Holt tractor. An advanced position workshop shrinking a heated iron tyre onto a light spoked wheel. 60-pounders and 18-pounders firing with the shell bursts seen in the distance. A 2-inch 'plum pudding' mortar being fired by British soldiers from a trench. A Lewis machine gun team firing from their trench, with the sergeant acting as a spotter. Indian troops crossing a pontoon bridge at Ramadi. Three wagons full of Indian troops being pulled along a light railway by a mule team, and the troops disembarking. Turkish prisoners being led through 'Piccadilly Circus', and 'New Street', Baghdad. The film ends with the partially destroyed railway station at Samarra, with its rolling stock.

35mm